Banding machine



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ANDING MACHINE Filed June`l6, 1941 17 Sheets-Sheet 1E Jan. 12, 1943. R. wALz ET Ax.

BANDING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1941 17 Sheets-Sheet 16 Jan. V12, 1943. R. wALz ETAL BANDING MACHINE Filed June 16, 1941 17 Sheets-Sheet l7 INVENI'OR` @000m/1 wALz HENRY A. s

Patented Jan. 12, 1943 BANDING MACHINE Rudolph Walz, `ersey City, N. J., and Henry A. Stone, New York, N. Y.

Application June 16, 1941, `Serial No; 398,306 36 Claims. (Cl. 216 55) frankfurters in proper condition for the securement of the bands thereto. These and other difficulties have been obviated in accordance with the present invention, and in the machine eme bodying the same.

It is also anobject of this invention to provide a machine of the designated class having provision for applying bands to one 4of a plurality oi' connected or linked frankfurters or other sausages. More particularly, the frankfurter which is to have a band applied thereto and which is connected or linked to another frankfurter is conveyed as a unit with the latter to the banding station or position of the machine, a band is applied to one of the linked frankfurters at said station, and thereafter said linked frankfurters are conveyed as a unit to a discharge or delivery station or position of the machine.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more particularly apparent from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the conveyor assembly;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional View on the line 3 3 vof Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View en the line 4 of Fig. l, with parts omitted;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5 5: of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line G S of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line '5 7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a` sectional view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective View of the supply and transfer conveyors at the adjacent parts of the two conveyors;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side View of the transfer conveyor;

Fig. 11 is a front perspective view of the bandapplying mechanism and of certain parts associated therewith;

Fig. 12 is a side perspective View of the bandconveyor of the band-applying mechanism;

Figs. 13 to 15 are sectional views on the lines l3 l3, M M, and l5 !5, respectively, of Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is a rear View, in elevation, of the bandapplying mechanism;

Fig. 17 is a view similar to Fig. 16, with the parts thereof in a diierent operating position and with certain portions broken away for the purposes of illustration;

Fig. 18 is a sectional view on the line iB IB of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a sectional View on the line ifi-i9 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 19A is a view on the line l9a l9a of Fig. 19;

Fig. 20 is a perspective View of a banded sausage and of part of a companion unbanded sausage joined thereto;

Fig. 2l is a sectional View of a sausage with the band partially applied thereto and illustrates the condition in the stage of operation of the banding mechanism shown in Fig. 17;

Fig. 21A is similar to Fig. 21 but shows the overlapped ends of the bands pressed together by the heated presser member;

Fig. 22 is `a View along lines 22 22 of Fig. 23 and shows the band-crimping device;

Fig. 23 is a side view partly in elevation and partly in section of parts of the band feeder, being taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 24 is a View partly in elevation and partly in section along lines 24 24 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 25 is a detail view on the line 25 25 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a perspective View showing the main cam shaft and parts of associated mechanisms;

Fig. 27 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section on the line 27 21 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is a sectional plan view on the line 28-28 oi Fig. 23;

Fig. 29 is a View partly in elevation and partly in section along the line 29 29 of Fig. 26;

Fig. V3i) is a view in elevation with parts in secline 32-32 of Fig. 29 and showing also certain parts operatively associated with said mechamsm;

Fig. 33 is a sectional view on the line 33-33 of Fig. 45;

Fig. 34 is a sectional view on the line 34-314 of Fig. 45;

Fig. 35` is a sectional view on the line 35-35 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 36 is a sectional view on the line 36--36 of Fig. 35;

Fig. 37 is a sectional view on the line 37-37 of Fig. 11;

Fig-38 is a view in elevation of one side of the machine;

Fig. 39 is a perspective view of the clutch mechanism;

Fig. 40 is a side View, partly in section, of the clutch, showing the disengaged condition thereof;

Fig. 41 is a view similar to Fig. 40, showing the engaged condition of the clutch;

Fig. 42 is a detail sectional View on the line 42-42 of Fig. 40;

Fig. 43 is a sectional view on the line 43-43 of Fig. 40;

Fig. 43A is a detail view, on a larger scale, of part of the clutch mechanism;

tail, the banding machine comprises, in general, a frame having a main central section I0, means for applying bands to the articles, including a `band-wrapping device or applying mechanism I4 forming part of the band-applying means,l means i5 (Fig. 12) for feeding bands to the band-wrapping device, a supply conveyor I6 operatively `supported on the lateral section I8 of the frame; C"

a conveyor and article holder 2l) which transfers the articles to be banded from the conveyor I6 and presents said articles successively to the band-applying means and holds the articles While the bands are applied, and which thereafter.

moves the banded articles from said band-applying means to a delivery position, and a discharging conveyor 22 operatively supported on the lateral section 24 of the machine frame. The

machine embodying the present invention in thev form illustrated herein is designed to apply bands to one of a set of two joined or linked frankfurters. The bands or labels are of the thermoplastic-adhesive coated type, and means for applying heat and pressure to the wrapped bandsl vis provided for securing the ends of the bands together when wrapped about the articles.

The several main parts of the machine will now be described more speciiically.

The sausage conveyors and holders The supply conveyor I6 is of the endless` belt type and comprises three laterally spaced belts or sprocket chains 25, 28 and 3B, indicated more `or less diagrammatically in Fig. 2 and structurally in Figs. 4 to 8. Said conveyor chains are composed of the necessary sprocket chain links which engage and are driven by the usual sprocket wheels. The sprocket chain conveyors are provided with pocket-forming members 32 secured .to certain of the links by individual brackets 34. The two frankfurters of the set are carried by the three chains of the conveyor, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the frankfurter F to which the band is to be applied being carried by chain 26 and the companion frankfurter Fc of the set being carried by chains 28 and 30 in alignment with frankfurter F. The upper reach of chain 26 is supported on a longitudinally extending bar 36 which extends for the full length of frame section I8, and the upper reaches of chains 23 and 30 are supported on longitudinally extending bars 38 and 45,respectively, carried by a cover plate 42 which rests on the llongitudinally extending top portions 44 and 46- of frame section I8 in movable relation laterally of the frame (Fig. 6). Longitudinally extending rails 41 and 49 are disposed in stationary position at opposite sides of the upper reach of chain 2S for supporting the frankfurters carried by said chain, said frankfurters sliding longitudinally of said rails during movement of said chain.

As the frankfurters or other articles may vary in length, provision is made for adjusting the space between chain 25 and chains 28 and 30. For this purpose the adjusting mechanism will now be described as provided with particular reference to Figs. 4, 5, and 6. Said mechanism comprises a screw-threaded rod 48 journalled at its `ends in the longitudinally extending stationary frame members 50. A threaded member 52 is engaged by rod 4B and is held against, rotation thereon by the connection of said member 52 with plate 42, whereby rotation of said rod ,causes movement of member 52 longitudinally of 55, said rst mentioned shaft L54 being illustrated in Fig. 4 and said last mentioned shaft 56 being illustrated more cr less diagrammatically in Fig. 2. The manner of adjusting the sprocket wheels on said shafts is substantially the same for both ends of the chains, except that shaft 56 is the driving shaft and the sprocket wheels are splined thereto while the sprocket wheels on shaft 54 are freely rotatable thereon. Therefore, only the mechanism associated with the wheels on shaft 54 need be specically described. Accordingly, referring to Fig. 4, it will be observed that sprocket wheels 58 and 60 of companion chains 28 and 35 are integral with each other or are otherwise arranged in xed or unitary relation having as here shown a central connecting portion 62 provided with a peripheral groove 54. A fork Sii is xed to threaded member 52 and engages connecting member E2 in said groove 64 whereby movement of threaded member 52 causes movement of sprocket wheels 58 and 65 longitudinally of shaft 54 toward and away from sprocket chain 25. As indicated in Fig. 2 shaft 56 has associated therewith an adjusting rod 48a which is constructed and operates in the same way as rod 43 and which it will be understood has similar mechanism associated therewith. Rods 48 and 48d are provided with sprocket wheels 68 and lll, respectively, connected to each other by a sprocket chain 12 whereby rotation of rod 48a results in a corresponding rotation of rod 48 and an equal lateral adjustmentl of the sprocket wheels on shafts 51| and 56. Rod 48a is also provided with a sprocket Wheel 15| operated by a sprocket chain 'I6 actuated by a sprocket Wheel 'I operated by a manually operable crank 89. Thus by turning crank 80 chains 28 and 39 of conveyor I6 can beeasily adjusted as a unit toward and away from chain 26, to adjust the distance between the chains according to the length of the frankfurters. It will be observed that the sprocket Wheels 82 and 82a are also mounted on shafts 54 and 56, respectively, said mounting as to sprocket wheels 82 on shaft 54 being illustrated in Fig. l. As here shown sprocket wheel 52 is positioned between the bearing portion 59a of frame member 59 and collar 84 fixed to shaft 54. Shaft 54 is secured against movement by nuts 86 and 89 engaged on the threaded end portion 99 of said shaft and in engagement with the opposite sides of longitudinally extending frame member 92.

Shaft 56 is a driven shaft for drivingr the sprocket Wheels of the chain conveyor I6, and for this purpose shaft 55 unlike shaft 54 is mounted for rotation in bearing 50c and 59d (Fig. 2) in frame members 59. Shaft 55 is driven by a sprocket wheel 94 actuated by a sprocket chain 96 which engages a sprocket Wheel 99 fixed to a driving shaft 99. Said last mentioned shaft 99 is operatively connected through suitable gearing for actuation by a shaft |99. Shaft 99 also operates discharge conveyor 22 which as illustrated in Figs. l to 3 comprises a plurality of laterally extending plates |92 carried by the links of two sprocket chains |94.

The frankfurters or other articles to be banded are presented by conveyor I9 to the receiving end of article conveyor and holder 2B. Conveyor 2D comprises a pair of sprocket chains |08 and |98 which receive the frankfurter F of the set from chain 26 of conveyor I6, and a sprocket chain I I9 Which receives the companion frankfurter Fc of the set from the pair of sprocket chains 28 and 39 of the supply conveyor I6. As sprocket chains 28 and 39 are laterally adjustable, sprocket chain H is also laterally adjustable toward and away from the companion pair of sprocket chains |95 and |98, for which purpose the sprocket Wheels of chain HD are adjusted laterally on the sprocket Wheel shafts of conveyor 29 by screw-threaded rods H2 and H4 for which purpose crank 89 is operatively connected to rods H2 and H4 of the adjusting mechanism of -chain H0 for adjustment of the latter simultaneously with the adjustment of companion chains 28 and 39 of conveyor i6. For this purpose, sprocket wheel 'i8 is'Xed to the end of rod H4 and a sprocket wheel H3 is Xed to the end of rod H2, said sprocket Wheels being operated by chain 15. A member H5 (Fig. 48) holds chain i6 in engagement -With sprocket wheel H3. The mechanism for adjusting chain I i9 is similar to that for adjusting chains 28 and 39 of conveyor I5. Thus, as illustrated in Figs. 46, 47 and 48, a nut II'I is threaded on rod yI I2 and has a forked member H9 fixed thereto and projecting transversely therefrom, the laterally spaced ends I2| of said forked member being disposed at opposite sides of sprocket wheel |39 of chain H0 at the adjacent end o-f the conveyor. Said ends I2'I of the forked member have upper extensions |23 which are fixed to the movable plate |25 of the frame for moving said plate laterally when sprocket wheel |39 is moved laterally of shaft |46. It will be understood a similar mechanism is associated with rod H4 and the adjacent shaft at the opposite or delivery end of conveyor 29 so that both ends of chain H0 and plate |25 are adjusted equally toward and from chains |06 and |98 when crank 89 is operated. Further, it will be observed that chains 28 and 39 are simultaneously adjusted when crank 80 is operated, the movement of said last mentioned chains toward and from chain 26 being equal to the movement of chain H9 toward and from chains and |98.

As the sprocket chains and article holders of conveyor 29 are of the same construction a description of only one of said chains and of the article holders carried thereby is needed. By reference to Figs. 9 and ll it will be observed that each sprocket chain of conveyor 29 is provided with means for gripping and holding the frankfurters or other articles applied thereto by conveyor I5. The article holding and gripping means are more clearly illustrated in Fig. l0 and by reference thereto it will be observed that said means comprises a pair of chain links H6 and H9 connected to an intermediate chain link |29. Companion links I I5 and I9 are provided with fingers |22 and |24 pivotally mounted thereon by means of pivot pins |25 and biased for movement toward each other by springs |28 to a maximum extent limited by the engagement of pins |39 on said fingers with shoulders |32 formed on each of the opposite sides |311 of links H6 H8. The intermediate link is provided with an article seating portion |35. It will be understood that when the frankfurter or other article is placed in position said article is gripped by the spring pressed companion fingers |22 and |22 of each holder on the chain carrying the same, it will be noted that as the portion of the chain Which. carries the holder passes around the sprocket Wheel |39 companion links I i9 and IIS of the holder are moved in such manner as to spread said fingers I 22 and |24 to permit the insertion of the article therebetween, and that thereafter when the holder moves past the sprocket Wheel said fingers |22 and |29 converge toward each other and grip the article therebetween. Links |29 are connected pivotally to companion links H 5 and H8 by pins I 21 each of which carries a roller |29. In passing from sprocket wheel |38 toward the banding mechanism chains |99 and |58 are supported by longitudinal rods itl and |33, respectively, (Fig. 34), provided to rigidly support the article holder at the banding station as considerable pressure is applied thereto by a part of the band-applying mechanism. Beyond the banding station, said chains are supported by laterally spaced longitudinal plates |35 which provide room for the action of parts of the banding mechanism and associated parts of the machine. Plates IS'I, which are shown in section in Fig. 33, engage rollers |29 at the top thereof and thereby prevent upward movement of the chain links which might otherwise occur due to the action of the springs E29, and which would result in opening movement of the companion gripper fingers |22 and |2i. it will be understood that hold-down piates I3? extend longitudinally for substantially the full length of conveyor 29. When the holder reaches the delivery end of conveyor 29 for discharge of the articles on the discharge conveyor 22 said holder passes with the chain over the sprocket Wheel to permit the article to drop from said holder onto the belt of the discharge conveyor. Arms |552 are pro- 

